Lockheed Martin team announced as winner of JSF competition 26 October. Receives $18.9 million contract for 126-month system development and demonstration phase. Company says its own firms in central Florida can anticipate work of up to $1 billion on JSF.
Pentagon begins studies into potential speeding up of JSF service entry to 2008.
UK announces it will make a decision in 2002 on which JSF variant it will acquire.
Australia writes to US Department of Defense seeking briefings on JSF participation.
November 2001Boeing acknowledges a direct-lift short take-off and landing system (STOVL) was its core bid weakness. Steps up lobbying for workshare split on JSF programme. Also seeks acceleration of F/A-18E/F procurement by the US Navy.
JSF programme office confirms it is seeking international investment worth $4 billion.
Australia issues restricted request for technical data and open market survey for the Royal Australian Air Force's Air 6000 replacement fighter programmes.
December 2001Kaiser Aerospace selected to provide main projection display for F-35 cockpit and, in partnership with Elbit, helmet-mounted display.
P&W announces plans to widen participation in F135 engine programme, targeting Italy and the Netherlands.
January 2002Lockheed tells Boeing it will not be offered substantial workshare on JSF.
Lockheed Missiles and Fire Control receives subcontract from BAE Systems to develop JSF electro-optic targeting system.
Dutch government meets to consider membership of JSF and replacement fighter options for Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Senior Australian military officials visit JSF programme office in the USA to be briefed on JSF membership options.
February 2002Dutch prime minister Wim Kok says his cabinet has approved JSF partner membership, but parliamentary approval still required. Also says JSF is front runner for RNLAF's next fighter.
Canada signs as Level 3 partner, with investment totalling $160 million.
The Australian government says it will decide on JSF membership in April. Restricted request for technical data and open market survey for RAAF's Air 6000 requirement close.
Northrop Grumman confirms talks are under way with Raytheon on workshare for the JSF AESA radar.
EDS announces sales of Teamcentre software to Lockheed and Northrop to support establishment of global JSF virtual enterprise architecture.
SM&A selected to provide engineering, logistics and programme development services to JSF consortium.
JSF programme manager Tom Burbage wins Flight International's Aerospace Industry Personality of the Year award.
March 2002US Navy confirms review of total numbers of JSFs to be acquired by Navy and Marine Corps under way. The Pentagon says impact on total orders will be minimal before 2012.
Israel announces it will join programme as Level 3 partner.
Turkey announces intention to join as Level 3 partner rather than Level 2 as originally planned.
Stork Aerospace contracted by Lockheed Martin to carry out initial development of JSF external doors and wiring harness.
Nederlands Centrum voor Laser Research contracted by Pratt & Whitney to drill holes for the F135 engine.
Dassault and IBM selected by Lockheed to supply computer-aided design and manufacturing software for JSF virtual development environment.
GKN Aerospace and BAE Systems announce partnership for design and production of JSF airframe components.
Lockheed Martin appoints Mike Cosentino as director of JSF international programmes.
April 2002Electronic-attack JSF variant offered by Lockheed Martin as a potential Northrop Grumman EA-6 replacement.
H M Dunn, Progressive and Thayer Aerospace selected by Lockheed Martin to machine aluminium airframe componentsfor JSF.
Avionics Specialities selected by Lockheed Martin to provide JSF air data system.
BAE Systems Avionics selected by Lockheed Martin to provide active Inceptor subsystem (pilot side stick and throttle controls) for JSF.
Lockheed Martin-led industrial team visits Australia to promote programme membership. Australian government defers decision on JSF membership until June, amid cost concerns.
Dutch government delays formalising JSF programme membership until June to allow for new ratification vote in Dutch parliament after initial vote is tied.
May 2002Denmark signs as Level 3 system development and demonstration (SDD) member, with investment worth $125 million.
Italian government announces it will join as Level 2 SDD member. Parliamentary approvals are in place by end of month.
Lockheed-led JSF industrial team visits Australia to brief on programme opportunities. Senior RAAF programme officials tell UK air power conference that no source selection will be made on a replacement fighter until 2006. Senior Australian military officials visit JSF programme office to receive classified brief on programme participation and JSF capabilities.
USN announces it intends to reduce its JSF order by 400 aircraft from an original base of 1,089. US Air Force says it would reconsider size of its orders if the USN reduction leads to programme cost increases.
USMC says it wants the JSF STOVL version to enter service earlier than scheduled.
Telelogic confirms its Doors requirements management software is being used by Pentagon JSF programme office.
Dynamics Research contracted by Pentagon JSF programme office to supply modelling and simulation services.
Merant selected by Lockheed Martin to configuration manage JSF software development.
Precision Castparts selected by Lockheed Martin to supply titanium aircraft forgings for JSF.
Goodrich receives subcontract from Rolls- Royce to supply lift-fan anti-icing system for JSF STOVL variant.
Tyco Electronics receives subcontract from Smiths Aerospace to supply JSF high-power electronic distribution units.
June 2002Dutch parliament approves JSF membership. The Netherlands signs as a Level 2 SDD member, with total investment worth $800 million. Flags expectation of work to value of $250 million. Dutch government and industry representatives visit Lockheed Martin JSF programme headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas.
Italy joins as Level 2 partner, with investment of $1 billion
Lockheed Martin announces Alenia Aeronautica will be secondary source for JSF wingbox assembly, with Italian production line for full aircraft also possible.
FiatAvio joins F136 engine development team.
MBDA announces completion of pre-feasibility integration studies for AIM-139 ASRAAM on to JSF.
JSF external design frozen on 27 June. Forward fuselage extended by 127mm (5in). Position of vertical tails modified. Bomb-bay size reduced on STOVL version, and lift-fan bay doors redesigned. STOVL F135 engine to have reduced-length aft nozzle, and hollow lift-fan blades to be introduced.
JSF programme office says it wants F136 engine available from 2009.
US assistant defence secretary Peter Aldridge announces discussions are under way with Israel and Singapore on alternative forms of programme membership.
Centric Software receives order from Lockheed Martin for software design toolsets for JSF avionics display development.
Silicon Graphics receives contract from Lockheed Martin to provide visualisation computers and software for JSF flight simulation laboratory at Fort Worth.
Norway signs for SDD phase as Level 3 partner, contributing $125 million.
Australian Defence Industry Council warns the Australian Department of Defence that early downselect of any new fighter type would have adverse impact on the national defence industry.
Eurofighter offers Australia participation in Typhoon enhancement programme.
Australia announces plans to join SDD phase. It simultaneously announces downselect of JSF as replacement for its Boeing F/A-18 and General Dynamics F-111 fighter fleets.
July 2002Eurofighter consortium announces plans for restructuring of programme to improve its ability to market Typhoon internationally.
Lockheed Skunk Works reveals studies are under way for JSF microwave weapons.
Lockheed Martin says numbers of JSF bought by the USA are likely to fluctuate further, but will not affect overall programme outcomes.
General Electric and R-R reveal plans for an international F136 joint venture company.
Northrop Grumman announces JSF centre fuselage will be assembled at Palmdale, California.
JSF programme head Gen John Hudson says project is "truly a marriage between governments and industry". Confirms plans for creation of a security co-operation participation level to enable Israeli and Singaporean access to the programme.
Turkey formally joins programme as Level 3 partner, with investment of $175 million.
BAE Systems announces plans for £40 million investment in new JSF facilities in the UK.
The UK Ministry of Defence's investment approvals board meets to select a JSF version for future aircraft carrier, but is unable to make a decision.
Australian defence minister Robert Hill confirms interim fighter may be required by RAAF before JSF introduction.
August 2002Lockheed Martin JSF team stages a series of technical briefings in Australia to support Australia's decision to join the programme.
TRW Aeronautical Systems (now Goodrich) selected by Northrop Grumman to supply weapons bay door drive system.
Astronics selected by Lockheed Martin to supply JSF exterior lighting.
Vought Aircraft Industries selected to supply JSF lower wing skins.
BAE Systems Controls delivers vehicle management computer development processors. This marks the programme's first avionics system sub-component delivery.
The UK MoD investment approvals board meets again to select a JSF version for future aircraft carrier.
September 2002Lockheed Martin reveals RAAF is considering requesting development of surveillance and reconnaissance variant.
The Australian defence minister defends JSF selection as the "most practical solution".
Israel's defence ministry accuses European JSF partner nations of blocking its attempt to join the programme with partner status.
General Dynamics selected to supply and integrate 27mm cannon for JSF.
The UK government announces plans to buy up to 150 JSF STOVL variants for the UK Royal Navy rather than the CV variant. Deal to be worth £10 billion.
October 2002American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics honours eight Lockheed Martin engineers for their contribution to JSF design.
JSF programme completes first year of SDD phase. Tom Burbage says the programme is on schedule and slightly under budget.
Israel makes last-ditch bid to join the programme with full partner status.
Norwegian-based Volvo Aero Norge awarded subcontract by P&W to provide low-pressure turbine shafts for F135 engine.
Lockheed Martin says business model for logistics support between partners will be completed within 12 months. It unveils planning for "follow- the-sun" design and software engineering.
Lockheed Martin acknowledges likely requirement for integration of IRIS-T missile into JSF for Canadian, Italian and Norwegian partners.
GE approved by JSF programme office to begin F136 development, but a plan for a joint venture between GE and R-R rejected.
Three-Five Systems awarded subcontract by Kaiser Electronics to provide micro display systems for JSF panoramic display.
Moog-Parker Hannifin partnership is awarded contract by Lockheed Martin to supply primary electro-hydrostatic actuator systems for wing and tail control surfaces.
Qinetiq software selected for JSF STOVL variant flight control system.
Australia formally signs up as Level 3 programme member, with an investment of $150 million. Nineteen Australia firms receive letters of intent (LoI), enabling them to bid for work packages on programme.
November 2002JSF preliminary design review begins at component system level, targeting completion of full review by March 2003.
Number of LoIs released by Lockheed Martin to companies in partner nations reaches 120 (Australia - 19, Canada - 10, Italy - 27, the Netherlands - 16, Norway - 21, Turkey - 7 and the UK - 20).
December 2002US assistant defence secretary for acquisition Pete Aldridge says JSF exports are likely to be 1,000-3,000 up to 2020, and have an impact on the market for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Silicon Graphics receives a further contract from Lockheed Martin to provide visualisation computers and software for JSF flight simulation laboratory at Fort Worth, Texas.
Dutch Prognostic Health Management Consortium contracted by Lockheed Martin to supply JSF PHM suite.
BAE Systems announces production is under way on aluminium components for JSF horizontal tail test article.
January 2003Philips Aerospace awarded subcontract from R-R to supply fan cases for F136 engine.
GE Aircraft Engines president David Calhoun says JSF role critical to company's long-term outlook.
Lockheed Martin Information Systems releases V1 of autonomic logistics systems software.
LM-STAR avionics test equipment installed at QM in the UK and Raytheon in the USA to support avionics systems development.
Magellan Aerospace selected by R-R to develop liftfan sub-assemblies for JSF STOVL variant.
Norwegian government expresses official concern about workshare opportunities in the JSF international programme, and rejoins Eurofighter industrial consortium.
February 2003USN and USMC JSF acquisition numbers cut from 1,089 to 680 by presidential budget request for fiscal year 2004.
P&W complete Phase 1 risk-reduction tests on F135 engine.
Eaton awarded subcontract by Goodrich to provide nose landing-gear steering motor assembly.
Lockheed Martin says it will support Italy's bid for a second JSF production line if that nation can develop a sustainable business case.
UK government commissions Rand to assess viability of JSF production line in the UK.
The Australian defence minister says no decision on any interim fighter before JSF will be made for two years.
Israel signs an LoI to join the JSF security co-operation participant programme. It commits to investment of around $150 million.
Singapore also signs an LoI to join the JSF security co-operation participant programme. Invests around $50 million.
March 2003Concerns emerge that Singapore's A-4SU replacement competition will be undermined by that nation joining JSF.
Norway defence minister Kristin Krohn Devold criticises Kongsberg for pricing itself out of work on the JSF programme. He says Norwegian firms cannot expect offset-based work.
Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway reveal plans to co-ordinate a campaign to win more JSF workshare.
Flightstat Datalink becomes first foreign company to gain fast-track bid approvals under the global project authorisation.
A draft Australian government aerospace sector blueprint calls for JSF programme to become model for future national exports drive.
JSF preliminary design review held 24-27 March. Lockheed Martin acknowledges airframe is 30% above target weight and the need for modifications to weapons-bay size to meet ordnance requirements.
F136 engine targeted by JSF project office for budget cuts.
Lockheed Martin unveils revised liftfan door configuration for STOVL variant.
Indigo Systems awarded subcontract by Northrop Grumman to supply infrared integrated detection assemblies for distributed aperture system.
Lockheed Martin receives subcontract from Harris, itself a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, to supply fibre-optic transceivers for JSF mission system.
Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems selected to develop JSF programme intranet for European partners.
April 2003Dassault president Charles Edelstenne describes the JSF partnership programme as "a stroke of genius".
JSF programme office cuts $440 million from F136 engine programme.
JSF programme office announces AIM-120A/B, AGM-65, AGM-84C/D and AGM-84H missiles will not be integrated into JSF.
Lockheed announces outstanding weight issues still to be resolved after preliminary design review (PDR). JSF programme office says first flight in late 2005 is achievable if weight problems are solved.
In response to questions from parliament about whether it can withdraw from the JSF programme, the Dutch government confirms it is seeking to have a European regional support centre established at Woensdrecht air base in the Netherlands to offset lack of SDD phase workshare. It reveals that external consultants have been appointed to study options.
May 2003Ake Svensson, head of Saab Aerospace, says JSF partnering is mainly about subcontracting, and will not sustain Europe's aerospace industry.
Sweeping "Buy American" legislation introduced into US Congress by Representative Duncan Hunter.
Canadian firms Applied Courseware Technology and BNH Expert Software selected to provide software tools for development of the JSF training system.
Canada's Magellan Aerospace selected to provide 24 wing structural components.
BAE Systems Platform Solutions delivers first production vehicle management computer.
Marconi Selenia Communications selected by Northrop Grumman to provide back-up radio system.
June 2003GE, R-R and five of the eight JSF partner nations call for $442 million to be restored to F136 engine development.
Congressional House Armed Services committee votes to restore $56 million to begin system design and development of F136 engine.
JSF programme office reveals plans for new strategic best-value sourcing to ensure partner nations secure programme work. US DoD internal study finds some JSF partner nations, including Italy and the Netherlands, have been passive in seeking workshare.
Lockheed Martin says the JSF programme is "extending technical frontiers and establishing new levels of international participation".
Speaking at the Paris air show, Alenia Aeronautica chairman Giorgio Zappa says his firm is not happy with the rate of JSF workshare being awarded to Italian firms.
Norway is offered additional JSF work under the strategic best-value initiative in response to a Eurofighter consortium offer of increased workshare.
JSF airframe PDR segment is closed out three months late. Weight estimates reined in from 35% to 10% over target.
Honeywell selected to provide ring laser-gyro inertial navigation system.
Australian DoD partially releases JSF industrial engagement strategy. Value of Australian participation queried by opposition parliamentarians.
GKN Aerospace Australia selected to design and manufacture centre fuselage components.
TNO-FEL of the Netherlands is selected to develop signal conditioning algorithms for the JSF electro-optical distributed aperture system.
July 2003The Australian defence minister voices concern that the JSF programme is not a level playing field.
Hawker de Havilland of Australia selected to provide design engineering support services to Lockheed Martin Palmdale
Italian undersecretary for industry Mario Valducci visits the USA, and requests establishment of a JSF offset package for Italian industry.
A US General Accounting Office (GAO) report reveals Lockheed Martin has guaranteed work to an unnamed partner nation to ensure it remains in the programme. The GAO also warns that sensitive technology contracts should only be given to US firms.
Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems hands over the first integrated core processors for JSF mission system.
Quantum3D selected to supply image generators for use in JSF advanced concepts simulator system.
Denmark's Terma teams up with General Dynamics to support design, test and production of the F-35 gun system pod.
August 2003GE and R-R continue lobbying for F136 engine funding to be restored. Phase III critical design review of F136 engine is completed.
Finmeccanica chief Roberto Testore says JSF is the key to future co-operation with the USA.
Australian defence minister Hill announces BAE Systems Australia is to spearhead a national bid for regional JSF support centre. Head of Australian JSF project office says Australia hopes for more work through the strategic best-value programme.
Ferra Engineering of Australia selected by US-based Marvin Engineering to make alternative mission equipment weapon adaptors.
Calytrix of Australia selected by Lockheed Martin to head Australian industry capability team study of JSF training system simulation technologies
Production Parts of Australia selected by GE to supply metal subcomponents for F136 engine.
Marand Precision Engineering of Australia selected by Lockheed to design and build JSF engine removal cradles.
September 2003GKN Aerospace selected to make carbonfibre engine vanes and air inlets for F135.
Raytheon selected to make digital anti-jam GPS receiver.
Vision Systems International awarded contract to develop advanced helmet-mounted display for JSF.
BAE Systems Avionics selected to supply laser system for electro-optical targeting system.
UK government releases Rand study that says JSF production line in the UK is feasible. The document also reveals quickmate jointing system for JSF major component assembly has been abandoned.
BAE Systems opens major assembly production facility for JSF components at Samlesbury, UK.
Lockheed Martin establishes JSF basic and ship suitability integration centre at Fort Worth, Texas.
US Congress adds $52.8 million to F136 engine programme, but cuts the overall JSF budget by $56 million to $4.4 billion for FY2004.
Dodd provision in Congressional approvals for US FY2004 defence budget mandates study by Pentagon into the impact of foreign offset requirements on the US defence industrial base. The White House confirms it is negotiating with Congressman Duncan Hunter on an acceptable form of Buy American legislation.
The US Aerospace Industries Association and the US National Defence Industrial Association write to US Senate Armed Services Committee warn that Buy American provisions will drive up costs of US military hardware and increase time taken to deliver.
Dutch firms ATS Kleizen and Stork Fokker secure contracts totalling $58 million. Thales Netherlands is nominated as preferred supplier for cryogenic coolers for JSF EOS systems. Burbage says further growth expected in Dutch workshare.
Magellan Aerospace of Canada selected by GE and R-R to produce outer combustor case diffuser assembly for F136 engine.
P&W announce completion of first development F135 engine for JSF.
US president George Bush signs FY2004 defence appropriations. He provides $4.3 billion to continue JSF development.
October 2003Ayesas of Turkey awarded subcontract by Smiths Aerospace to develop mechanical and circuit-card subassemblies for the JSF missile remote interface unit.
Smiths Aerospace awarded contract by Lockheed Martin to supply JSF high-speed data cable assemblies.
GE chief executive Jeff Immelt says Buy American law would cost jobs in the US aerospace industry. Congressional negotiators reach agreement to renew US Defence Production Act for one year to enable more debate on the impact of offsets on US industrial base.
BEI Technologies receives subcontract from Northrop Grumman to build electro-optic components.
Source: Flight International
